January 2007 Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE

            Contact:   Ginny Colbert                                              For Immediate Release:

                            (802) 828-2148                                                       January 18, 2007 

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 Town Meeting Day Website Unveiled 

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz Announces Web Resource on Town Meeting

And Reminds Citizens of Deadlines for Town Meeting Petitions  

Montpelier. Today Secretary of State Markowitz announced a newly revised website for citizens and local officials on Vermont’s Town Meeting.  Markowitz said, “Town Meeting is one of the democratic high points of the year.  It is a time for neighbors to discuss the civic issues of their community, elect local officers and vote on budgets. This newly updated website is designed to help citizens and local officials make the most out of Town Meeting.”   The Town Meeting website includes the newly published Citizen’s Guide to Town Meeting, a Handbook for Moderators, a Voter’s Guide to Town Meeting Procedure, a guide to petitioning to get articles on the ballot as well as many other resources.  You can view the website at: www.sec.state.vt.us/townmeeting/index.html 

Markowitz also reminds citizens that deadlines for getting items onto the March town meeting warning are fast approaching.  January 25th is the deadline for petitions to get articles on the warning, and January 29^th is the deadline for submitting nominating petitions for local office where elections are by Australian Ballot vote. 

Markowitz said, "Vermont town meeting can provide a meaningful opportunity to discuss issues that are important to individuals in the town. This year we are already seeing petitions from voters on a variety of town issues, such as changing from floor voting to Australian Ballot voting on a particular type of question, or whether to merge village and town.”  Markowitz said “Voters must act quickly if they want to get a particular issue on the town meeting warning.”  Unless the selectboard agrees to put a particular article on the warning, voters must present a petition to the town clerk by January 25th.  In most cases, the petitioned article must be signed by at least 5% of the registered voters of the town.  

In addition, according to Markowitz, January 29th is the deadline for submitting a nominating petition to the town clerk in towns that elect officers using the Australian Ballot.  Markowitz said, "Serving in local office is a great way to give something back to the town. People who live in towns that vote their officers by ballot, rather than on the floor of town meeting, must plan ahead if they wish to run for office."  Nominating petitions must be signed by 30 voters, or 1% of the legal voters, whichever is fewer. All petitions must be submitted to the town clerk.  

For more information call your town clerk's office, or the Office of the Secretary of State at (802) 828-2363.  For information on how to petition on a local issue and to access our many other Town Meeting resources please visit the Secretary of State website at www.sec.state.vt.us

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